Tank for galvanizing metal articles by the lead-zinc process



July 1,1941. B. ULBRICHT TANK FOR GALVANIZING METAL ARTICLES BY THE LEAD-ZINC PROCESS Filed May 4, 1938 Inrenfor.

36 WWW tank embodying the present Patented July 1, 1941 TANK FOR BY THE GALVANIZING METAL ARTICLES- LEAD-ZINC rnoonss Bernhard Ulbricht, Riesa-Groba-on-the-Elbe; Germany, assignor to Mitteldeutsche Stablwerke Aktiengesellschaft,- Riesa-on-the-Elbe,

Germany Application May 4, 1938, Serial No- 206,082

In Germany November 19,

4 Claims. (o1. 91-125 Ordinarily tanks for galvanizing articles are provided with a ceramic frame or liner to protect the side walls of the tank against attack bythe molten zinc employed for galvanization. However, the ceramic material is susceptible to damage by the articles to be galvanized and the tools employed in handling the articles, and it is evident that if the ceramic material be cracked or broken away the protective value of the ceramic frame will be lost and the zinc will be able-to attack the tank walls.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a satisfactory protection for a galvanizing tank against attack by zinc, and the same involves a special protective frame and a novel arrangement of the protective frame in the tank. The proposed protective frame is highly resistive to the formation of hard zinc, and the same is so disposed in the tank that mechanical damage thereto is precluded. The frame will have a relatively long life and can be readily repaired or interchanged. The arrangement of the frame in the tank is such that if the zinc should eventually eat through the frame such fact will be immediately apparent so that repair or replacement may be made before the zinc has had an opportunity to attack 1 the walls of the tank, The arrangement also provides for heating of the zinc around its outer side.

susceptible to damage when tubes are to be galvanized. The tubes remain hanging on the ocramic protectiveframe. when the present protective construction is employed.

The essential features of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the drawing, wherein: t

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a galvanizing invention and whereinthe lead and zinc strata are present; and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the tank shown in Fig. 1.

The tank is intended for use in the lead-zinc process of galvanizing. The tank I when in use will contain a deep molten stratum of lead 2 on which floats in the upper portion of the tank the galvanizing zinc stratum 3. The upper portion of the tank for a. distance somewhat below the zinc stratum is enlarged, the upper side wall portions 4being offset outwardly from the main side wall portions therebelow. A flange 1 conheats the lower ends of the upper side walls 4 to the main side walls.

A protective frame 5 extends entirely around the interior of the enlarged upper portion of the tank to protect the upper side walls 4 against attack by the zinc. Such frame will be made of Armco iron or similar low carbon iron, or an alloy, which will be highly resistive to being eaten away by the zinc and which is immune to the formation-of hard zinc.

As shown in Fig. 1 the protective frame 5 extends below the level .of the zinc stratum 3,

and is removably seated on flange 1. Frame 5 is of the same size as the main portion of the tank so as to form a continuation of the main wall portions: Thus the tank will have a smooth interior, and no difficulty will be experienced from the articles being galvanized catching on frame 5 when being introduced into or being removed from the tank.

It will be observed that frame 5 does not lie against the upper wall portions 4 but is separated therefrom by a surrounding channel. In the event the zinc eventually eats through frame 5 its presence-will be readily apparent in the surrounding channel so that the frame can be repaired or replaced before the zinc has had an opportunity to attack the tank walls 4.

To preventthe formation of hard lead around the inner face of the protective frame 5, it is desirable to apply heat around, as well as at the The usual tank first mentioned is particularly This is not the caseunderside of the zinc stratum 3. This is accomplished according to the invention by providing communication between the channel surrounding frame 5 and the main area of the tank below the zinc layer. The lower portion of frame 5 is provided with a series of passages 6 at a level below the zinc stratum 3. Accordingly, molten lead from stratum 2 enters the channel and transmit heat throughthe metallic frame 5 to the zinc. Thus the margins of the zinc layer are heated and the formation of hard zinc retarded. The arrangement of the passages 6 is best illustrated in Fig. 2.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art. that the invention is capable of some degree of modification and equivalency, and the scope thereof is to be determined from the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Galvanizing apparatus comprising a tank adapted to contain a stratum of zinc floating on a stratum of lead, said tank having a lower portion for the reception of lead and an upper portion for the reception of zinc, an outwardly. directed flange at the upper end of the lower side wall portions of the tank, a protecting fmme member in the upper portion of the tank seating on said flange, and upper tank side walls extending upwardly. from the flange outside of and in spaced relation to the frame member, said frame member adapted to surround and retain the stratum of zinc and to extend below the level of the lead stratum, said frame member having passageways therethrough below the level of the lead stratum through which the lead can enter the space between the frame member and the upper tank side walls.

2. Galvanizing apparatus comprising a tank adapted to contain a stratum of zinc floating on a stratum of lead, said tank having a lower portion for the reception of lead defined by lower side wall portions and an enlarged upper portion adapted to surround the zinc layer and defined by upper wall portions, and a removable inner frame in the enlarged upper portion of the tank of the same size as the lower tank portion and I forming a continuation thereof, and being spaced from the enlarged upper portion to provide a channel inside said upper portion, said frame extending below the intended level of the zinc and being adapted to retain zinc from contact with the upper side walls and passageways extending through the frame member through which lead can enter the channel.

3. Galvanizing apparatus comprising a tank adapted to contain a stratum ofzinc floating on a stratum of lead, said .tank having a lower portion for lead and an enlarged upper portion for zinc, a. seat at the upper end of the lower portion and a metallic frame member of low carbon iron supported on the seat in spaced relation to the walls of the enlarged upper portion and passageways extending through the lower portion of the frame member through which lead can enter the space between the frame member and the walls of the upper portion.

4. Galvanizing apparatus comprising a tank adapted to contain a stratum of zinc floating on a stratum of lead, said tank having an enlarged upper portion, a seat extending around the inside of the tank at the lower end of the enlarged upper portion, a protective inner frame in the enlarged upper portion of the tank supported on said seat, and being spaced inwardly from the surrounding upper wall portions of the tank to form a channel, said frame member being adapted to retain the zinc stratum and to extend beneath the level of the lead stratum, and aperture means'communicating with said channel and with the interior of the tank beneath the level of the lead stratum whereby lead can enter the channel.

BERNHARD 

